Trân Hung Dao (1228-1300) was a Vietnamese general who was victorious against the Mongol invaders in 1288. The harangue he gave to his soldiers before fighting is famous, for his patriotic feelings and the beauty of his style. Vietnamese Taoists worship him throughout Vietnam. They invoke the Great Immortal to ask for the protection of their families, the healing of the sick and the health of women in childbirth and newborns. (Cf. Joseph NGUYEN HUY LAI, "Religious, spiritual, social tradition in Viet Nam", Beauchesne, 1981)