Seeking practical budget travel tips for a two-week Southeast Asia trip

[Camila_W]

I've managed to save up for a two-week trip to Southeast Asia later this year, but my budget is extremely tight, and I'm determined to make it work without sacrificing the cultural experiences I'm going for, which means I need to master the art of budget travel. I'm planning to rely on hostels and local transit, but I'm anxious about finding affordable yet safe accommodation and avoiding tourist traps that drain funds, especially when it comes to food and entry fees for major sites. For seasoned budget travelers, what are your most practical and often overlooked budget travel tips for this region? How do you balance saving money with still having authentic interactions and seeing the key sights, and are there specific resources or apps you swear by for finding deals on the go?