A variable valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine varies the rotational phase of a camshaft with respect to a drive shaft to vary the timing of a set of engine valves. The mechanism includes a first rotor for a rotation in synchronism with the drive shaft and a second rotor for a rotation in synchronism with the camshaft. The second rotor has vanes, which are located in hydraulic chambers. Unequal hydraulic forces on the vanes causes the second rotor to rotate with respect to the first rotor to change the rotational phase of the camshaft with respect to the drive shaft. Hydraulic pressure is supplied to a certain side of the vanes to apply forces to the vanes. A lock member locks the second rotor to the first rotor to fix the rotational phase of the camshaft with respect to the drive shaft. The lock member unlocks the second rotor from the first rotor only when the hydraulic pressure supplied to the vanes is such that the torque produced by the hydraulic pressure on the vanes is at least as great as an oppositely directed torque resulting from rotational fluctuation of the camshaft. This prevents the vanes from colliding against the walls of their chambers, which produces noise.