A quantum symmetric pair consists of a quantum group 𝐔 and its coideal subalgebra 𝐔 𝚤 𝝇 with parameters 𝝇 (called an 𝚤quantum group). We initiate a Hall algebra approach for the categorification of 𝚤quantum groups. A universal 𝚤quantum group Ũ𝚤 is introduced and 𝐔 𝚤 𝝇 is recovered by a central reduction of Ũ𝚤 . The semiderived Ringel-Hall algebras of the first author and Peng, which are closely related to semi-derived Hall algebras of Gorsky and motivated by Bridgeland's work, are extended to the setting of 1-Gorenstein algebras, as shown in the Appendix by the first author. A new class of 1-Gorenstein algebras (called 𝚤quiver algebras) arising from acyclic quivers with involutions is introduced. The semi-derived Ringel-Hall algebras for the Dynkin 𝚤quiver algebras are shown to be isomorphic to the universal quasi-split 𝚤quantum groups of finite type. Monomial bases and PBW bases for these Hall algebras and 𝚤quantum groups are constructed.